Week 8.

[trustfellows]

WEEK 8 Regardless of what you think of the most recent deaths, four more people have died this week. Milla Maxwell, Angel, Susan Ashworth, and Aligula are gone now, leaving you with about a quarter of your original number. Thirty-five down to twelve - this can't keep going for much longer, can it? Is there anything you can do? Saturday is given to regrouping and sleep; come Sunday morning, the clock chimes the hour at seven o'clock and there are no dead bodies to be found, so it can be assumed that all of you are safe for the time being. That said, you'll be feeling a little groggy when you wake up; it seems you've regained something that you didn't realize you'd lost... Unlike the previous weeks, however, it seems that either you've reached the end of the line or Jericho has decided to stop rewarding you for your effort; where there would usually be a stairwell to a new floor, you're met with nothing but solid wall. Perhaps it's distressing; perhaps it's a good sign. Only time will tell, and time isn't something you have a lot of around here. PARTICIPANTS REMAINING: 12

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
[OOC: Welcome to week eight of Trustfell! Feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget to save those threads for coins and the activity check!

If you'd like to get in contact with the Coordinators, you can do so through private meetings with Hilda!]

Comments

[sleepytimegal]

Mm... Not entirely, but... I was more wondering how it was for you.

[bloodbiter]

Oh.

[...]

It's a bit of a long story.

[sleepytimegal]

...Well, if you need a shoulder or an ear, I've got nothing if not time.

[bloodbiter]

[She nods, but all the same...]

I have no qualms with speaking of it. It depends more on whether it's something you would like to hear.

[sleepytimegal]

I... Whatever it is, I've kinda learned here that commiserating with someone's better than not.

[ She gives her a little smile. ]

I'm good.

[bloodbiter]

...I told you about the journey I was on, correct? To find a cure for my sister.

[That's probably not a good start to this conversation, huh.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ It SURE AS HECK isn't. ]

You did... Did you remember more about it?

[bloodbiter]

Yes. I remembered how it ended.

[Deep breath. She can do this, she can talk about this, she's composed and... strong. She can be strong. It doesn't change how her shoulders tense up slightly, her hands moving together to intertwine as she looks towards the ground.]

I was too late.

[sleepytimegal]

[ ... ]

What? No, oh... [ Immediately, Alex moves in closer, to pull her into a hug. ] Adelina, I'm so... I'm so, so sorry.

[bloodbiter]

[She looks like she wants to step back, but she doesn't. Instead, she just kind of - freezes. There's no movement to return the hug.]

...I can't. I'm sorry.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Oh. Oh... Alex lets it drop. ]

I... Sorry.

[bloodbiter]

No, you don't need to apologize. It's just...

[She can't afford to be weak, now. Even showing vulnerability is... Well. There's a small shake of her head.]

It will - be alright. It always is. I always am.

[sleepytimegal]

...You don't have to be.

[ It's said simply enough. ]

You can let yourself hurt.

[bloodbiter]

[She pauses, then shakes her head.]

It is - not that simple.

[sleepytimegal]

Why not? I- I know it's hard, but-- you have to let yourself feel!

[bloodbiter]

[Quietly:]

She was going to lead our country. Now, I'm going to. There is little time to waver, or... show vulnerability. We are on the brink of war.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Oh. Oh, she-- ]

But...position of power or not, you can't just shut it all off. We don't... That can't be good for you.

[bloodbiter]

What's best for everyone else is what's best for me. I can't stand by while they suffer, and that includes - losing focus for any reason.

[She shakes her head.]

I do appreciate your concern, but...

[sleepytimegal]

[ ...Mnnnngh. Alex looks really uncomfortable with the idea of leaving it like this? Oh... ]

You really think you can keep focus while...going through something like this?

[bloodbiter]

I’ll have to try. There is much more at stake here than how I feel.

[And really, the heart of the matter:]

My whole life, I’ve prioritized my own feelings. My fear, my weakness, my selfishness... I won’t do that any longer.

[sleepytimegal]

...It's not selfish to miss your sibling.

[bloodbiter]

...No, it isn’t.

[She looks down for a moment, takes a breath, than looks back to Alex.]

But in any circumstance, it’s selfish to see people suffering and not do anything to help them. That’s what will continue to happen if I don’t assume leadership.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Alex can't quite meet Adelina's gaze. ]

I'm...sorry for you. That you can't do both.

[bloodbiter]

You don't need to be.

[A sigh.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to burden you.

[sleepytimegal]

You didn't burden me. C'mon. We're friends, right?